Hi folks (Colas - are you here? You seem to be "Mr. GongSUP"),

I've been in France the last 3 years (returning to Oz in August - long story). Have been using a GongSUP 8'6 cloud bamby (130L - has a bamboo finish on the deck). Found it perfect combo for all (surf, exercise, take mini-me for a paddle).

Shame you can't get these in Oz so, as we are moving back soon, I thought about a change/upgrade. I came across an excellent condition 2014 GongSUP 8'2 final pro xtr (125L) for 450euro with a cover (Pretty sure could get for 400euro / $600aus). Not a bad deal as I need to get a cover for shipping anyway. Could sell the old Cloud 8'6 without much out of pocket.....ie Cheap upgrade.

Looks like the 8'2 final pro is a lot narrower but a little thicker (125L) than the cloud 8'6 at 130L. For all you tech savvy folk, specs for both these boards are below.

I noticed a Mr. "Colas" (whom I do not know but seems to represent GongSup well on this site) had detailed he has one of these 8'2 final pro xtr models in his quiver and states "used for long paddles to outer reefs. Is super fast but very narrow". The website says it is suited for performance surfing in junk/fat waves.

I like the idea of having a board just a little more "performance" orientated (as a 25+ year surfer, I do get a bit bored sometimes on the cloud model sometimes). I prefer to use a surfboard so usually only take the SUP out in smaller conditions. My skills are "good" without being a "ripper"....Im 78kg and 6"1 (Tall string bean).

BUT.....I'd still like to have a board I can use for paddle fitness (no surf day training) and small paddles with the 3yo son. Im just wondering if this significantly more narrow final pro xtr might be a disappointment in that it might only tick the surfing box to make me question the upgrade?

Any thoughts anyone has I would really appreciate it. Many thanks,
Steve

Specs:
CLOUD 8'6 (current board)
- Length: 8'6 = 259 cm - Width: 30 '' 3/4 = 78.1 cm - Thickness: 4 "5/8 = 11.8 cm - Volume: 130 Litres - One foot off before: 20 "7/16 = 51.9 cm - One foot back off: 19 3/8 "= 49.2 cm - Rocker: 23.8 cm - Tail: fish tail. - Nose: Point round nose. - Drifts: sorting end or quad available: 5 Fusion box. HowTochooseyourfins - Bamby Weight: 8.60 kg (indicative weight within + or - 5%)

FINAL PRO XTR 8'2 (Potential Upgrade)
- Length: 8'2 = 250 cm - Width: 27 "3/16 = 69 cm - Thickness: 5 "1/16 = 12.8 cm - Volume: 125 Litres - One foot off before: 16 "5/16 = 41.5 cm - One foot back off: 18 "= 45.7 cm - Total Rocker: 25.5 cm - Tail: diamond tail. - Nose: nose points. - Drifts sorting adjustable end and / or quad. - XTR Weight: 7.0 kg (indicative weight within + or - 5%)

Hi, yup I had a Final 8'2" that I use ~ 10 sessions. Keep in mind that I am 100kg, so it will be somewhat stabler for you.

This is the fastest board I ever rode. Both for paddling (for its length), and paddling into a wave, and to make fast sections. The combination of narrowness, parallel rails, fast rocker and stiff 100% carbon + PVC sandwich construction makes wonders. In quad setup, you will be astonished at the sections you can make. Basically it gives you a 200% performance ride even in weak conditions, but can hold the power.

And for fitness, the 4 FCS plugs center means you can put a big 3-tabs symmetrical keel fin to help keeping the row in check while pulling hard on the paddle:



This said, I had 9 good sessions with it, but the 10th time it was epic conditions (well overhead) at an outer reef 1 mile offshore. Glassy conditions, but the size of the swell created quite a bit of water movement. It was hell. I couldn't manage to keep upright for more than 30 seconds before falling. I ended up completing a 3 hour session, but prone paddling and getting up just before a coming set. The day after I put it on sale: for me, the added performance was not worth the trouble. I guess it is an age thing: all the 50+ guys I know have resold them or plan to resell. Younger guys seem to have less problems, seems that with age you are slower to react to inbalances. Granted, wider boards are slower to put on the rail... but since we are slower too, that is not really so bothersome.

So, although at your weight it should be manageable, I would advise you to get rather a "curve"(*) in the Gong line: they will have more "carvability" than the Cloud (which is kind of a fish), so can be ridden a more "performance" way (create speed by cranking turns in critical parts of the wave), and be stabler than the final (wider + wider nose). And if you take the SUP only in small conditions and want to do it with your son, the 8' NFA would be a very good choice: pulled-in, rockered tail makes for a great carving/pumpable board, and the wide nose very stable, especially with a toddler up there. Plus the US Box means you can put a big single for flat water, and a thruster setup for surfing. Alas, it does not exist any more in the XTR construction.

Another option would be the AS, the Simmons. It gives you the glide of a longboard in a tight package, with insane stability and nearly no row. gongsupshop.com/epages/box1707.sf/fr_FR/?ObjectPath=/Shops/box1707/Products/GON6SUPAS710 And if you put your foot on the tail, they turn surprisingly well, but in a different way as a normal SUP: more latency in turns.

Ah, and carrying a toddler on a final... I hope he likes falling in the water often!

You can see a lighter guy with a final (yellow lycra) in the top vid at www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=4520&p=80072&hilit=final+keel

(*) as the line is renewed, there are some bargains (aka "Bons Plans") now on the curve XTRs: gongsupshop.com/epages/box1707.sf/fr_FR/?ObjectPath=/Shops/box1707/Categories/BONS_PLANS/%22Bons%20plans%20SUP%22 a 7'11" and a 8'4" remain. For your weight, the 7'11" 115l will be quite OK, but the 8'4" 125l may be easier with a toddler, but will feel more "gunny" on a wave for you... but still more nimble than the 8'6" Cloud.

Edit: I realize, by re-reading the impression of others on its thread at www.gongsup.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=4520 (most posts in French, some in english) that I may be too negative. Lighter or younger people seem to have less trouble.

Many thanks Colas for such a detailed and informative response. Sounds like my instincts were indeed right (in that it is a bit too narrow whereas my needs are more 4x4 / all terrain). I'll hold.

I can see in that video you posted it does indeed go like a rocket.....but it is definitely narrow.

A shame GongSup does not get into Australia. I have found them to be excellent value but still a "high end" shape.

Many thanks again for affirming my initial apprehensions.

Thanks!

Note that the Final was designed as part of a 2-board quiver for competitors: the Hit (narrower) for clean conditions and the Final (wider, flatter rocker, more powerful tail) for rough conditions, but with a close feeling, to be able to switch between the 2 boards easily.

Thus the somewhat long length (for Gong) for maximizing paddle speed and early take off to outsurf your opponents, and an emphasis on speed on the wave, as in contests judges praise the radical moves, so you need to build up as much speed as possible for explosive moves rather than smooth carves.

So "The website says it is suited for performance surfing in junk/fat waves" in comparison with the Hit. But they are geared towards people entering contests, that are OK to spend the time mastering the delicate balance of narrower boards for performance rewards.